On Tuesday, all he could do was shake his head as he returned by boat.

“I came in this world without anything, and I’m not leaving with anything. But my family, I’m not taking any chances,” said Denton, a Denham Springs marshal.

Unlike most people who are starting to clean up as floodwaters recede across Livingston Parish, once his family was safely out the house, he didn’t have much time to think about his property again.

“Once I got them out, I told them, 'I’ll see you when I see you,'” said Denton.

It was time to get back to work making rescues and doing whatever else was required.

“We have a job to do. We took an oath and we swore to do what we were going to do,” said Denton.

Denton is one of several dozen Livingston Parish residents who is a flood victim and also a first responder. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard said between 15,000 and 20,000 people had to be rescued. At least 75 percent of the parish is a total loss.

While the community has never dealt with this kind of widespread damage, and it’s difficult to see, Denton said everyone has and will continue to stick together to ensure everyone overcomes this tragedy.

“I’m really proud of this community. I really am. However long it takes, we’re here to do a job and we’re going to do it. We’re going to see it through until the end,” Denton said.

As rescues end and rebuilding begins across the state, Attorney General Jeff Landry wants people to use his office's website as a resource and as a place to report price gouging or find licensed contractors.

“You want to get three different bids. You want to make sure that those contractors give you a certificate of insurance that helps to vet the legitimacy of that contractor. And in addition, don’t pay cash. We want you to have some sort of proof of payment. Most importantly, get a written contract,” Landry said.

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